Buying a luxury vehicle from MG Rover may not be an option for Bermuda drivers soon after the UK-based auto manufacturer announced it was on the brink of financial collapse.

Bermuda Motors Ltd., as the Island?s importer of half a dozen MG Rover models, said it won?t know if it will be able to continue to bring in the popular line of vehicles until a meeting with the manufacturer next week.

But executive vice-president for operations Anthony Steede yesterday moved to assure customers that in-force warranties will be honoured and parts will continue to be available.

?We are fully aware of the situation [with MG Rover and as you can appreciate we are monitoring it on a day-by-day basis,? he said.

Mr. Steede said the planned meeting with MG Rover would take place next week in the UK. MG Rover, which was put into administration earlier this week, has turned its back on warranty agreements, it said in a Press statement on Tuesday.

?A review of the company?s warranty arrangements has been undertaken and has concluded that warranties continue in the first instance to be a matter between individual dealers and their customers.

?We?re aware that historically MG Rover has reimbursed repairers and authorised dealers the cost of valid warranty claims? but said it could not now because there were ?no longer sufficient funds?.

Mr. Steede said Bermuda Motors would itself bear any responsibility for vehicles that were still under warranty, including for models in stock and yet to be sold.

?We are there to take care of customers? needs. This is unfortunate but we are there to support them.?

As for parts, Mr. Steede said the company had always sourced these from a third party supplier and that a ?consistent flow of parts and supplies? was assured for the ?short, medium and long term?.

Sales of the MG Rover models was a substantial source of business for Bermuda Motors, Mr. Steede said.

He said after-sales support for the models is expected to continue to be a significant part of the company?s business.

The company has been importing six different models: the MG TF (the popular two-door sports car), the Rover 25 and 45, derivatives of that model, the ZR and ZS models and the Rover 75, imported strictly for taxi use.